How to Plumb an Outdoor Kitchen: Part 1

An outdoor kitchen can turn a backyard into a functional space for cooking and entertaining, but adding a sink, hose bibb and other plumbing fixtures requires careful planning for water supply, drainage, and winterization.

In part one of this outdoor kitchen installation, master plumber Ben Goheen tackles the plumbing rough-in using SharkBite and HoldRite products. Follow along to see how he reroutes the existing kitchen plumbing, runs new hot- and cold-water lines and installs dedicated shutoffs to help make the outdoor kitchen easier to service.

By the end of the rough-in, the outdoor kitchen will have dedicated hot- and cold-water supplies, drainage, shutoff points and connections for the sink and hose bibb, setting the system up for the next phase of the build. 

Gather Your Materials

SharkBite Products:

• SharkBite PEX-a Pipe
• SharkBite Max Push Reducing Tees
• SharkBite Max Push Straight Stop
• SharkBite Max Push Service Stop
• SharkBite Max Push Angle Stop
• Max Push 90-Degree Elbow with Drain/Vent
• SharkBite Max Push-to-Connect Fittings  
• SharkBite PEX Press Elbows
• SharkBite PEX Press Ball Valves
• SharkBite Push Quarter-Turn 45° Hose Bibb
• SharkBite Depth and Deburr Tool  
• SharkBite PRO PEX Cutters
• SharkBite PEX Press Hand Tool Kit
• Pipe Supports

HoldRite Products:

• HoldRite Fixture Outlet Boxes
• HoldRite Fixture Outlet Box Debris Cover  

Additional Tools/Materials:  

• Drill with 2-1/2 in. hole saw attachment  
• Woodboring spade drill bit
• Oscillating multi-tool
• PVC pipe, primer, and cement
• Air admittance valve (AAV)
• Spray foam
• Stud guards 

 1. Plan and Frame the Outdoor Kitchen

Before starting the plumbing rough-in, finalize the outdoor kitchen layout and framing. Determine where the sink and other fixtures will be located, then build the wood frame accordingly. With the fixture locations established, you can easily determine where to route the water supply and drain lines. Check local building and plumbing codes and use a qualified contractor when appropriate. 

 2. Prep the Existing Kitchen Plumbing  

Because the outdoor kitchen ties into the existing indoor plumbing, the rough-in begins inside the house. Shut off the water at the main, then open the stop valves under the kitchen sink to relieve the pressure. Disconnect the supply lines and remove the existing drain line and supply stops, leaving enough pipe for the new SharkBite Max connections. Deburr the pipe and if you’re working with copper pipe, ream the inside of the pipe as well.  

Learn More: How to Turn Off Main Water Valve for Plumbing Repairs 

 3. Reroute the Drain  

Next, make room for the new outdoor kitchen drain. Use a 2-½ in. hole saw to create an opening for the 2 in. PVC drain. If drilling through multiple layers, work from both sides of the wall as needed. Feed the PVC through the opening and temporarily cap the pipe outside.  

Under the indoor kitchen sink, reconfigure the existing PVC drain to create a connection for the outdoor kitchen, then prime and cement the PVC connections.  

Then, install an air admittance valve (AAV) to vent the drain system. The AAV allows air into the system while helping prevent sewer gases from escaping. Follow local plumbing codes and the valve manufacturer's instructions for proper placement. 

 4. Run the Hot- and Cold-Water Lines Outside

With the drain routed, use the woodboring spade drill bit to cut the two water-supply penetrations. Position the holes low on either side of the under-sink area to route the supplies outdoors.

Then, run ½ in. PEX-a for the hot-water supply and ¾ in. pipe for the cold-water supply. Since the cold line provides water to both the outdoor sink and a high-volume hose bibb, it needs to be ¾ in. Leave both PEX lines uncut for now. 

 5. Reconfigure the Indoor Lines

Before making the new connections, prep the hot- and cold-water lines with the SharkBite Max Depth & Deburr Tool and mark the required insertion depth for each SharkBite Max fitting. Throughout the installation, cut all your pipes squarely and deburr them thoroughly.

Hot Water Line

Push the SharkBite Max Push Reducing Tee (3/4 in. x 1/2 in. x 1/2 in.) onto the prepared pipe. From the tee, run 1/2-in. PEX pipe to a SharkBite Max Push Service Stop. Then, connect the service stop to the dishwasher supply line.

Next, install the SharkBite PEX Press Ball Valve into the system with PEX pipe and PEX Press elbows. Note that all PEX pipe needs to be ½ in. for the hot side.  

If you don't have a battery-powered PEX Press tool, the SharkBite PEX Press Hand Tool Kit provides another installation option. Alternatively, this portion of the system can be assembled using a SharkBite Max Ball Valve and SharkBite Max Elbows. When making PEX Press connections, use the fitting’s viewing window to confirm the pipe is fully inserted before pressing. After pressing, inspect each connection before moving on.

Discover: SharkBite PEX Press

Cold Water Line

Push a SharkBite Max Push Reducing Tee (¾ in. x ½ in. x ¾ in.) onto the prepared pipe and use ½ in. PEX Pipe to connect it to the SharkBite Max Push Angle Stop (1/2 in. X 3/8 in. comp.). This will later connect to the water filter. Then, install a ¾ in. PEX Press ball valve to the remaining side of the Tee. Always use jaws on your PEX Press tool that match the size of your PEX Press fittings.  

Position the ball valve inside the home so the outdoor water supply can be shut off independently of the indoor kitchen. This also creates an accessible shutoff point when preparing the outdoor plumbing for freezing conditions.

Complete the cold-water system by using ¾ in. PEX Press elbows and more ¾ in. PEX pipe to connect the ball valve to the outdoor line. Always check press connections before moving to the next step. 

 6. Install Outdoor Fixtures

On the outdoor side, cut and prep the hot- and cold-water lines, then install a SharkBite Max Push 90-Degree Elbow with Drain/Vent on each line. These fittings create accessible drain points for the outdoor plumbing. When preparing the system for freezing conditions, shut off the indoor ball valves and drain the outdoor lines, placing a bucket beneath the drain points to catch the water. Once these are installed, start on the cold side.  

Cold Line

Install a HoldRite Fixture Outlet Box (¾ in., PEX pipe) to the stud near the cold-water line and connect it to the Max Elbow with Drain/Vent with ¾ in. PEX pipe and PEX Press fittings. These fixture boxes make installation fast and easy, with adjustable orientations for both the pipe and the fixture itself. All you need is a few screws and a fitting to connect it to the system. Add the HoldRite protective cover to help protect the fixture box openings while the remaining construction is completed.

Learn More: Why You Should Be Using Appliance Boxes During Plumbing Rough-In

Once you’ve installed the fixture box, drill holes into the studs along the sides and cut out portions as necessary. Then drill a SharkBite Push Quarter-Turn 45° Hose Bibb into a low point on the side of your outdoor kitchen, close to the cold side.  

Explore: SharkBite Hose Bibbs

Then, pipe your ¾ in. PEX from the fixture box to the hose bibb, using ¾ in. PEX Press fittings to connect it and pipe supports to secure the pipe in place. Inspect every connection to confirm it is fully inserted and, for PEX Press connections, properly pressed.

Hot Line

For the hot line, simply connect the Max Elbow with Drain/Vent to the fixture box using ½ in. PEX pipe and PEX Press fittings. Also, screw the fixture box into the stud to secure it. Add the HoldRite protective cover to help protect the fixture box openings while the remaining construction is completed. 

 7. Final Steps

Before closing the wall, take a few final protective measures. Seal the wall penetrations around the water and drain lines with spray foam, which insulates the pipe and eliminates gaps. Where piping runs close to areas of the studs that could later receive fasteners, adds stud guards for protection.  

Because portions of the plumbing are installed in an exterior environment, protecting the system doesn't stop at sealing penetrations and shielding pipe from fasteners. PEX should also be properly protected from prolonged UV exposure and other outdoor conditions.  

SharkBite PEX pipe has a six-month UV rating, the longest on the market, providing greater flexibility when temporary exposure to sunlight is unavoidable during installation. However, the extended rating does not eliminate the need to properly protect PEX in exterior applications. 

Learn More: Using SharkBite for Outdoor Plumbing Installations 

Next, complete the under-sink connections, including the dishwasher, garbage disposal and drain assembly, according to the appliance manufacturers' instructions and applicable local codes.  

Slowly restore the main water supply and bleed air from the plumbing system. Open the hot- and cold-water valves and inspect each connection for leaks. Then, slowly open the valves supplying the outdoor kitchen and check the exterior connections.  

With the plumbing tested and the rough-in complete, the outdoor kitchen is ready for the next phase of the build. In part two, follow Ben as the project moves from rough-in toward a finished, functional outdoor kitchen. 

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